Absalom

How Nave’s arranged it

• Also called ABISHALOM
• Son of David by Maacah2 Samuel 3:31 Chronicles 3:2
• Beauty of2 Samuel 14:25
• Kills Amnon2 Samuel 13:22–29
• Flees to Geshur2 Samuel 13:372 Samuel 13:38
• Is permitted by David to return to Jerusalem2 Samuel 14:1–24
• His demagogism2 Samuel 15:2–62 Samuel 15:13
• Conspiracy2 Samuel 15:17
• Death and burial2 Samuel 18:9–17
• David's mourning for2 Samuel 18:332 Samuel 19:1–8
• Children of2 Samuel 14:272 Samuel 18:181 Kings 15:22 Chronicles 11:20
• Pillar of2 Samuel 18:18

The passages, in Bible order (17)

The same references, sorted Genesis to Revelation. The first 16 are quoted in full; the rest are one click beneath them, book by book.

1. 2 Samuel 3:3

   his second was Chileab, by Abigail the widow of Nabal of Carmel; his third was Absalom, the son of Maacah daughter of King Talmai of Geshur;

   ›Commentary on 2 Samuel 3:31 voice

   “And the second, Chileab, of Abigail the wife of Nabal the Carmelite,.... That is: who had been the wife of Nabal.

   Everything gathered on 2 Samuel 3:3→

   Verse page →Original language →

2. 2 Samuel 13:22–29

   And Absalom never said a word to Amnon, either good or bad, because he hated Amnon for disgracing his sister Tamar.

   ›Commentary on 2 Samuel 13:22–291 voice

   “And Absalom spake unto his brother Amnon neither good nor bad,....

   Everything gathered on 2 Samuel 13:22–29→

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3. 2 Samuel 13:37

   Now Absalom fled and went to Talmai son of Ammihud, the king of Geshur. But David mourned for his son every day.

   ›Commentary on 2 Samuel 13:372 voices

   “But Absalom fled,.... As before related, but here repeated for the sake of what follows: and went to Talmai, the son of Ammihud, king of Geshur: his mother's father, see 2Sa 3:3, where he might hope for protection and safety: and David mourned for his son every day; or "all the days" (q), i.e. of the three years Absalom was in Geshur, about the end of which he was comforted concerning Amnon, as the following verses show. Some think it was for Absalom he mourned, but rather for Amnon.

   “Absalom fled - As he had committed wilful murder, he could not avail himself of a city of refuge, and was therefore obliged to leave the land of Israel, and take refuge with Talmai, king of Geshur, his grandfather by his mother’s side. See 2Sa 3:3.

   Everything gathered on 2 Samuel 13:37→

   Verse page →Original language →

4. 2 Samuel 13:38

   After Absalom had fled and gone to Geshur, he stayed there three years.

   ›Commentary on 2 Samuel 13:382 voices

   “So Absalom fled,....

   “This is the first introduction of divine punishment; the first but not the only one. A long series of great tribulations followed, and an almost unending succession of misfortunes scarcely left his house. Tamar was corrupted by the madness of Amnon, and Amnon was slain …

   Everything gathered on 2 Samuel 13:38→

   Verse page →Original language →

5. 2 Samuel 14:1–24

   Now Joab son of Zeruiah perceived that the king’s heart longed for Absalom.

   ›Commentary on 2 Samuel 14:1–241 voice

   “Now Joab the son of Zeruiah,.... The general of David's army: perceived that the king's heart was towards Absalom; and longed to have him returned, though he knew not how to bring it about with credit to himself, his crime being so foul, and worthy of death.

   Everything gathered on 2 Samuel 14:1–24→

   Verse page →Original language →

6. 2 Samuel 14:25

   Now there was not a man in all Israel as handsome and highly praised as Absalom. From the sole of his foot to the top of his head, he did not have a single flaw.

   ›Commentary on 2 Samuel 14:252 voices

   “But in all Israel there was none to be so much praised as Absalom for his beauty,.... Which is observed to account in some measure for the interest he had in the affections of the people, both now and hereafter: from the sole of his foot to the crown of his head there was no blemish in him; not any spot, freckle, wart, scurf, or scab; nothing deficient or superfluous in him; no disproportion of parts, nor any disagreeable feature; but an entire symmetry, and perfect comeliness, which made him very respectable.

   “None to be so much praised as Absalom - It was probably his personal beauty that caused the people to interest themselves so much in his behalf; for the great mass of the public is ever caught and led by outward appearances. There was no blemish in him - He was perfect and regular in all his features, and in all his proportions.

   Everything gathered on 2 Samuel 14:25→

   Verse page →Original language →

7. 2 Samuel 14:27

   Three sons were born to Absalom, and a daughter named Tamar, who was a beautiful woman.

   ›Commentary on 2 Samuel 14:272 voices

   “And unto Absalom there were born three sons,....

   “Three sons - These probably died in infancy (see the marginal reference). From Tamar must have been born Maachah, the mother of Abijah, and the favorite wife of Rehoboam 1Ki 15:2; 2Ch 11:20-22.

   Everything gathered on 2 Samuel 14:27→

   Verse page →Original language →

8. 2 Samuel 15:2–6

   He would get up early and stand beside the road leading to the city gate. Whenever anyone had a grievance to bring before the king for a decision, Absalom would call out and ask, “What city are you from?” And if he replied, “Your servant is from one of the tribes of Israel,”

   ›Commentary on 2 Samuel 15:2–61 voice

   “And Absalom rose up early,....

   Everything gathered on 2 Samuel 15:2–6→

   Verse page →Original language →

9. 2 Samuel 15:13

   Then a messenger came to David and reported, “The hearts of the men of Israel are with Absalom.”

   ›Commentary on 2 Samuel 15:132 voices

   “And there came a messenger to David,.... Perhaps one of the two hundred that went with Absalom, ignorant of his design; which, when discovered, he disapproved of, and got away from him, and came to David, and informed him how things were: saying, the hearts of the men of Israel are after Absalom; to make him king.

   “The hearts of the men of Israel are after Absalom - It is very difficult to account for this general defection of the people. Several reasons are given: 1. David was old or afflicted, and could not well attend to the administration of justice in the land. 2. It does appear that the king did not attend to the affairs of state, and that there were no properly appointed judges in the land; see 2Sa 15:3. 3. Joab’s power was overgrown; he was wicked and insolent, oppressive to the people, and David was afraid to execute the laws against him.

   Everything gathered on 2 Samuel 15:13→

   Verse page →Original language →

10. 2 Samuel 15:17

    So the king set out with all the people following him. He stopped at the last house,

    ›Commentary on 2 Samuel 15:171 voice

    “And the king went forth,.... From Jerusalem; which is repeated, that it might be observed in what a hurry and fright he was: and all the people after him; his family, court, and servants, and as many of the people of Jerusalem as chose to go with him: and tarried at a place that was afar off; when they had got at some distance from the city, they stopped and stayed a while; it could not be a great way from it, for they had not as yet passed over the brook Kidron, 2Sa 15:23.

    Everything gathered on 2 Samuel 15:17→

    Verse page →Original language →

11. 2 Samuel 18:9–17

    Now Absalom was riding on his mule when he met the servants of David, and as the mule went under the thick branches of a large oak, Absalom’s head was caught fast in the tree. The mule under him kept going, so that he was suspended in midair.

    ›Commentary on 2 Samuel 18:9–171 voice

    “When Absalom was cruelly attacking his father David, the speed of his mule caused him to collide with a thick oak tree, and the branches wound round his neck so that he was suspended high in the air. This was a prefiguration of the Lord's …

    Everything gathered on 2 Samuel 18:9–17→

    Verse page →Original language →

12. 2 Samuel 18:18

    During his lifetime, Absalom had set up for himself a pillar in the King’s Valley, for he had said, “I have no son to preserve the memory of my name.” So he gave the pillar his name, and to this day it is called Absalom’s Monument.

    ›Commentary on 2 Samuel 18:182 voices

    “Now Absalom in his lifetime had taken,.... Had taken it into his head, had of himself devised it, as Kimchi explains it; he contrived the following scheme to perpetuate his memory: and reared up for himself a pillar, which is in the king's dale: or valley, the valley of Jehoshaphat; this pillar was of marble, as Josephus (o) says, and stood about two furlongs or a quater mile from Jerusalem.

    “Reared up for himself a pillar - There was a marble pillar in the time of Josephus called Absalom’s pillar: and there is one shown to the present day under this name; but it is comparatively a modern structure. Absalom’s place - Literally Absalom’s Hand. See the note on 1Sa 15:12.

    Everything gathered on 2 Samuel 18:18→

    Verse page →Original language →

13. 2 Samuel 18:33

    The king was shaken and went up to the gate chamber and wept. And as he walked, he cried out, “O my son Absalom! My son, my son Absalom! If only I had died instead of you, O Absalom, my son, my son!”

    ›Commentary on 2 Samuel 18:332 voices

    But that same David, that the difference of his actions may not perhaps disturb those who cling to the words of Scripture; that same David, I say, who had not wept for the innocent infant, wept for the parricide when dead. For at the last, when he was wailing and mourning, he said, "O my son Absalom, my son Absalom! Who will grant me to die for thee!"

    “And the king was much moved,....

    Everything gathered on 2 Samuel 18:33→

    Verse page →Original language →

14. 2 Samuel 19:1–8

    Then it was reported to Joab, “The king is weeping and mourning over Absalom.”

    ›Commentary on 2 Samuel 19:1–81 voice

    “And it was told Joab,.... When returned to Mahanaim, or on his way to it; perhaps by the messengers he sent; and this report he had before he saw the king: behold, the king weepeth and mourneth for Absalom; for the death of him, instead of rejoicing at the victory obtained, and the deliverance from his enemies.

    Everything gathered on 2 Samuel 19:1–8→

    Verse page →Original language →

15. 1 Kings 15:2

    and he reigned in Jerusalem three years. His mother’s name was Maacah daughter of Abishalom.

    ›Commentary on 1 Kings 15:22 voices

    “Three years - More strictly, not much more than two years (compare 1Ki 15:1, 1Ki 15:9). Any part of a year may, however, in Jewish reckoning, be taken as a year. His mother’s name was Maachah - Or Michaiah, according to the present reading of marginal reference. The daughter of Abishalom - Absalom seems to have had but one daughter, Tamar 2Sa 14:27, so that Maachah must have been, not his daughter, but his grand-daughter. Her father (see the margin) was Uriel of Gibeah whom, therefore, Tamar married. Maachah took her name from her great-grandmother 2Sa 3:3.

    "Now in the eighteenth year of King Jeroboam son of Nebat, Abijam began to reign over Judah," and under his rule the Jews obtained a magnificent victory over the Israelites in a battle, which was greater than all those fought before in their civil wars. …

    Everything gathered on 1 Kings 15:2→

    Verse page →Original language →

16. 1 Chronicles 3:2

    the third was Absalom the son of Maacah daughter of King Talmai of Geshur; the fourth was Adonijah the son of Haggith;

    Verse page →Original language →